A painter and decorator from Maesteg has been jailed for 11 years for sexually abusing a schoolgirl, after a jury convicted him of offences he still refuses to accept.
Damian O’Flynn, 38, of Coegnant Cottages, Caerau, Maesteg, returned to the dock at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court to be sentenced, having been found guilty at trial.
Sentencing
- 11 years in prison – half to be served in custody, with the remainder on licence in the community
- Registration as a sex offender for life
- A 10-year sexual harm prevention order
The offending
O’Flynn was convicted of 11 counts of sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity with a child. The court was told the abuse happened at locations in the Maesteg area before 2020, and that he grew “bolder” as time went on.
He has one previous conviction, for battery, dating from 2017.
The victim’s statement
In a statement read out in court, the victim – now a woman – described the lasting harm the abuse had caused, including self-harm and an eating disorder. She called what he did to her “vile” and said she blamed him “for the way I feel every day”.
She said the court process had sent her anxiety “through the roof”, but that it had been “my time to speak my truth and be believed”.
Speaking directly to O’Flynn, she said:
“You may have brutally stolen my childhood from me but you will not effect my life any more, and you will not steal my adulthood. I will be happy and successful in life”.
Defence
Peter Donnison, representing O’Flynn, acknowledged the court would be concerned that his client does not accept the jury’s verdict. He said it was hoped probation would be able to work with him on that.
Mr Donnison told the court O’Flynn had always been a hard worker and had no problems with alcohol or drugs.
The judge’s remarks
Judge Celia Hughes told O’Flynn she had no doubt he had groomed the girl and sexually abused her “time and time again”. He had then offered nothing but “bare denials”, she said, forcing his victim to go through the ordeal of a trial.
Having heard the evidence, the judge described the victim as “an incredibly articulate person with a bright future ahead of her”. She wished her well for the future and said she hoped the jury’s verdicts would bring her some solace.
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